Let's Go Rogue! Follow Me to Medford, Oregon

Cynthia Dial

On attack to pocket-sized Rogue Valley International Medford airport, the presumption from supra acceptable the signifier for what was to travel – ribbons of rivers, miles of fertile valleys and a melody of mountains – each beneath sun-kissed skies. With specified a affluent bounty of Mother Nature’s attributes, my sojourn unveiled Medford, a destination defined by a surrounding question trifecta – energizing explorations, taste outings and a “farm-to-table” F&B country established agelong earlier the word became an overused descriptive.

Cynthia Dial

The Rogue’s Routes

“We similar to accidental we’re lone 30 minutes from tarmac to tasting,” said my section big arsenic we ventured to our archetypal halt – a winery. Thus, my archetypal instauration to the Rogue Valley. As Oregon’s southernmost vino region, it was location to implicit 5,000 acres of vineyards, increasing much than 70 varietals, with 85 tasting rooms and 4 chiseled vino trails. Composed of 3 idiosyncratic valleys, a surrounding trio of intersecting upland ranges and the consequent span of elevations and ungraded classifications that travel with specified a divergent typography – erstwhile paired with lukewarm days and chill nights, the payoff proved important successful the winemaking world. To beryllium specific: a vinicultural paradise.

For a implicit overview, I visited aggregate wineries and tasting rooms on the Rogue’s 4 vino trails (I’ll ne'er beryllium accused of incomplete research). Designated a peculiar vino appellation and consisting of 18 wineries, Applegate Valley AVA (American Viticulture Area) stretched on 50 miles of the Applegate River. The terroir-driven boutique winery, Red Lily Vineyards, acceptable a precocious barroom with its Spanish-inspired wines and addictive mounting adjacent to the river, implicit with ocular splashes of reddish – including outdoor umbrellas and notable reds (wine, that is).

Tip: When available, bid the Pink Lemonade Verdejo Slushy.

Cynthia Dial

The Jacksonville Wine Route spread from its eponymous core, the back-in-the-day 1850s Gold Rush-boom town, present a National Historic Landmark. With 100 historical buildings dotting Jacksonville’s noted California Street, it would beryllium a mistake to not research this treasured township known for Victorian vibes and pioneering spirit.

Cynthia Dial

Sitting connected 27 acres of a multi-generational household workplace was Dos Mariposas Vineyard & Lavender Farm. Proclaiming itself “dog affable for affable dogs,” further appeals included a 2.000-plant lavender field, hard ciders from the farm’s 150 effect trees and a tasting-room-fronted patio overlooking a pond teeming with wildlife.

Located one-half mile from downtown Jacksonville was Rellik Winery. Defined by its modern farmhouse-style tasting room, a patio blanketed with intertwining grapevines, a enactment of homemade gourmet pizzas and wine, of course, it was decidedly low-key.

Tip: Look for the household alpacas.

Cynthia Dial

The Bear Creek Wine Trail included those wineries successful the confederate portion of the region.  The name, DANCIN Vineyards, an acronym of the owners’ names Dan and Cindy, represented an evening of vino tasting astatine its champion – sitting connected a terrace overlooking acres of sloping vineyards, sharing a enactment of regionally-grown foods and sipping an estate-produced pinot noir (one of the astir fashionable varietals). 

Cynthia Dial

Along the Upper Rogue Trail was Southern Oregon’s largest vineyard, 300-acre Del Rio Vineyards. Operated by 5th procreation farmers and situated connected the banks of the Rogue River astatine the historical tract of the Rock Point Stage Hotel (est. 1864), it proved the picture-book spot for a Rogue Valley inspired picnic lunch, accompanied by a solid of their rosé (created from grenache).  

Cynthia Dial

A spot disconnected the trails but appetizingly situated successful Central Point wrong the Southern Oregon Artisan Corridor was the tasting country of Ryan Rose, a venerated constricted merchandise winery. The concern exemplary of owner/winemaker, Rob Folin, was simple: “I marque the wines I similar to drink.” His artisanal neighbors included Rogue Creamery (its slogan: “from moo to you”), location to the Rogue River Blue, designated “World’s Best Cheese 2019;” Coquette Bakery and its European-inspired creations and Lillie Belle Farms, known for handcrafted truffles and chocolates.

Tip: Rogue Valley’s vino tastings are a fraction of different vino regions’ terms tags. And remember, nary authorities income tax.

Cynthia Dial

Medford’s Menus

Pomadori Osteria and Bar served upscale cuisine. Situated successful Medford’s four-square-block downtown wrong a historical building, implicit with rustic ceramic walls and vintage architectural details, the edifice showcased Italian fare with a modern twist. And recovered successful different operation from the past was Jacksonville Inn Restaurant, a premium eatery that was arsenic charming arsenic it was delectable. 

Among my apical on-the-go picks was Buttercloud Bakery & Café and its hearty, from-scratch offerings. Personal favs: signature biscuit sandwich and French toast (made with the signature biscuits). Ruby’s was known for its slayer meal burritos and offered a paper inspired by locally-sourced integrated products, including java from a determination tiny batch roaster.

And for a existent hands-on approach, determination was the seasonal Thursday morning Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market. Representing 150-plus section growers, crafters and artisan nutrient makers, its designation was awesome – 1 of nation’s 10 champion farmers’ markets.

Not to beryllium forgotten was Harry & David’s internationally-recognized flagship store, the renowned quality-driven gourmet nutrient store, which was founded 110 years agone successful Medford.

Cynthia Dial

Plein Air Picks

Among this vino region’s “adventurous outdoorsy diversions” were choices – whether it beryllium scenic quality walks oregon hardcore hikes, brushed adventures oregon thrilling expeditions.  

Our selection: a scenic stream travel with Rogue Rafting Company. Best described “mile aft mile of gentle prettiness,” our professionally-guided, three-hour travel on this seven-mile agelong made america consciousness the waterway was ours, exclusively ours. Commandered by Ben Bansen, the acquisition was thing flashy, conscionable earthy and unassuming with along-the-way sightings of osprey oregon wood ducks oregon herons and punctuated by the occasional adrenalin-inducing necessity to navigate whitewater.  

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Formed astir 8,000 years agone by the autumn of a volcano, Crater Lake, Oregon’s lone nationalist park, was 65 miles from Medford. Characterized by superlatives – the nation’s bluest, deepest (1,943 feet) and purest water – it was unfastened year-round – and it qualified arsenic a must-see. However, with eternally unpredictable upwind and immoderate roads closed seasonally (note: lone the southbound entranceway is plowed to the rim successful winter), the effect tin alteration a planned sojourn to simply “a plan.” Though my outing was successful June, erstwhile successful way to the rim, we passed specified signage arsenic “Snow Plow” and “Turn Around.” So, careless of the clip of year, cheque the weather, formal successful comfy layers and with bully footwear.  

Tip: Add a halt at Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint. It’s picnic-perfect and enhanced by towering trees, a quality trail, and respective waterfalls.

Cynthia Dial

Curtain Call

In summation to the internationally recognized Oregon Shakespeare Festival 20 minutes distant successful Ashland, I discovered the Britt and Music Arts Festival, an yearly June-through-September event. Presented successful an outdoor philharmonic venue located successful downtown Jacksonville – it was nether stars with flawless earthy acoustics acknowledgment to the adjacent hillside. Here, and connected stages passim the tiny town, euphony lovers enjoyed each genres – from classical and jazz to popular and rock. 

Base Camp Bonanza 

Here’s the deal. Featuring much than 200 days of yearly sunshine, specified majestic surroundings arsenic Table Rocks and snow-capped Mount McLoughlin and a combo of some down-home charm and an inviting peek into Rogue’s satellite of wines, Medford served up overmuch much than my first-impression aerial view.

For more, spell to www.travelmedford.org.